Walter Katalin Resigns as CEO of Budapest Transport Center Amidst Ongoing Challenges
Former BKK chief reflects on tenure marked by achievements and disputes over corruption allegations.
Walter Katalin, the recently resigned CEO of the Budapest Transport Center (BKK), expressed his emotional struggle following his departure in an interview.
He characterized the day of his resignation as one of mourning, noting that his 5.5 years in leadership at BKK and the Budapest City Management Holding were overall "productive and successful" despite facing attacks and controversies.
Katalin highlighted that one of the most challenging moments during his tenure occurred in January 2024 when he made an unfortunate comment comparing passengers to turkeys, an incident he described as a significant error that he learned a great deal from, particularly regarding the importance of flawless communication in managing such an organization.
He considers the development of the BudapestGO app, which now serves 1.5 million users, as one of his greatest achievements at BKK.
In addressing allegations of corruption related to the Budapest Transport Company (BKV), Katalin firmly denied any connection to wrongdoing, dismissing claims made by David Vitézy as untrue.
He emphasized his commitment to leading BKK professionally and corruption-free, stating, "I am Walter Katalin, I am not anyone's man," reinforcing his stance of arriving from a corporate environment and advocating for results-driven and qualified leadership.
Reflecting on the current recruitment process for management positions in municipal companies, Katalin expressed his opposition to the existing system, criticizing it as unpredictable and discriminatory despite expectations for professionalism from applicants.
He remarked, "I do not want to be a tolerated CEO without legitimacy," referring to the lack of confidence votes from the municipal assembly on April 30, which affected him and other state company leaders.
Looking ahead, Katalin discussed the financial difficulties facing public transport in Budapest, particularly in light of the Hungarian State Treasury's recent seizure of over 10 billion forints from the city’s accounts.
He stated that while it is premature to confirm a halt to public transportation, the city is currently in a very tight liquidity situation.
Katalin noted that funding from the city is crucial for BKK, as fare revenues cover only a third of its income, making it reliant on loans for operations.
Katalin recalled learning about the concept of narrative in politics while serving as chief of staff to Gordon Bajnai.
He remarked that various factions in the city politicize their own narratives, leading to the spread of falsehoods.
He advised his successor to engage the municipal assembly members in discussions to outline collaborative goals for BKK’s future operations.
He characterized the day of his resignation as one of mourning, noting that his 5.5 years in leadership at BKK and the Budapest City Management Holding were overall "productive and successful" despite facing attacks and controversies.
Katalin highlighted that one of the most challenging moments during his tenure occurred in January 2024 when he made an unfortunate comment comparing passengers to turkeys, an incident he described as a significant error that he learned a great deal from, particularly regarding the importance of flawless communication in managing such an organization.
He considers the development of the BudapestGO app, which now serves 1.5 million users, as one of his greatest achievements at BKK.
In addressing allegations of corruption related to the Budapest Transport Company (BKV), Katalin firmly denied any connection to wrongdoing, dismissing claims made by David Vitézy as untrue.
He emphasized his commitment to leading BKK professionally and corruption-free, stating, "I am Walter Katalin, I am not anyone's man," reinforcing his stance of arriving from a corporate environment and advocating for results-driven and qualified leadership.
Reflecting on the current recruitment process for management positions in municipal companies, Katalin expressed his opposition to the existing system, criticizing it as unpredictable and discriminatory despite expectations for professionalism from applicants.
He remarked, "I do not want to be a tolerated CEO without legitimacy," referring to the lack of confidence votes from the municipal assembly on April 30, which affected him and other state company leaders.
Looking ahead, Katalin discussed the financial difficulties facing public transport in Budapest, particularly in light of the Hungarian State Treasury's recent seizure of over 10 billion forints from the city’s accounts.
He stated that while it is premature to confirm a halt to public transportation, the city is currently in a very tight liquidity situation.
Katalin noted that funding from the city is crucial for BKK, as fare revenues cover only a third of its income, making it reliant on loans for operations.
Katalin recalled learning about the concept of narrative in politics while serving as chief of staff to Gordon Bajnai.
He remarked that various factions in the city politicize their own narratives, leading to the spread of falsehoods.
He advised his successor to engage the municipal assembly members in discussions to outline collaborative goals for BKK’s future operations.
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